by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 7, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
As more Americans look beyond the traditional 9-to-5 for additional income, new research highlights the U.S. cities most actively exploring side-hustle opportunities — and one Arizona community, Tempe, has earned a spot among the nation’s top hotspots.
A study by Ninja Transfers, which examined monthly Google search activity for more than 80 side-hustle-related jobs across over 170 U.S. cities, found that Atlanta, Georgia, leads the nation in interest for earning extra income. Search terms included queries such as “how to make money with [job],” “does [job] pay well,” and “[job] gig,” spanning roles from online tutoring to podcasting, freelance writing, mystery shopping, and more.
The analysis comes as nationwide searches for “side jobs” hit a record 279,000 in July 2025—underscoring rising demand for supplemental income amid cost-of-living pressures. With an average of 1,914 monthly searches related to side hustles—equating to 384 searches per 100,000 residents—Atlanta ranked first in the country. Georgia’s capital also showed a strong preference for podcasting, online tutoring, and freelance tutoring as the most-researched side-gig categories.
Orlando, Florida, ranked second with 361 monthly searches per 100,000 people, and Florida placed strongly overall, with Fort Lauderdale (275) and Miami (269) also landing in the top 10. Salt Lake City, Utah, secured third place with 319 searches per 100,000 residents, making it the top Western U.S. city for side-hustle interest. Midwestern representation came from St. Louis, Missouri (284), in fourth place, and Minneapolis, Minnesota (270), in seventh.
Rounding out the top five was Birmingham, Alabama, with 283 searches per 100,000 residents.
Tempe ranked 21st in the nation for side-hustle search activity. According to the study, residents conduct about 380 monthly searches tied to side-gig opportunities—equivalent to 204.4 searches per 100,000 people.
With a study population of 185,950, Tempe’s ranking suggests strong local interest in supplemental income streams, particularly among gig-friendly demographics such as college students, young professionals, and remote workers.
Researchers say both economic realities and entrepreneurial ambition are driving this shift. “Many Americans nowadays are looking to explore further than the standard 9-to-5,” said Victor Ilisco, Director of Sales & Operations at Ninja Transfers. “A Bankrate study from back in 2023 found that 39% of Americans have a side hustle, and this number has likely grown since then. They are becoming increasingly accessible thanks to digital platforms and tools, and the barrier for starting one is a lot smaller than what it used to be.”
Southern and Rust Belt cities featured prominently throughout the rankings, signaling a growing appetite for supplemental income in both growth markets and historically industrial regions facing economic transitions.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 6, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s hotspots for shoplifting, ranking third highest in the United States with 587.83 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2024, according to a new report by Summit Defense.
This rate is 56% above the national average, highlighting a growing challenge for retailers and law enforcement across the state. The study, which analyzed FBI Crime Data Explorer figures for the full 2024 calendar year, underscores Arizona’s position in a troubling trend that has been dominating Western states.
“Shoplifting may seem tempting for many, but it’s just not worth the risk, and when people adopt the mindset of seeing shoplifting as a more insignificant crime, then more people often commit it, and the effect that this can have on businesses is enormous,” said Rabin Nabizadeh of Summit Defense. “This study highlights where shoplifting is an epidemic and needs urgent attention from lawmakers, law enforcement, and local businesses in the state.”
Under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-1805, shoplifting is defined as knowingly obtaining goods from a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner, including actions like removing items without payment, altering price tags, transferring goods between containers, or concealing merchandise.
Penalties in Arizona escalate based on the value of stolen goods and aggravating factors:
- Less than $1,000: Class 1 misdemeanor (unless a firearm, then Class 6 felony)
- $1,000- $1,999: Class 6 felony
- $2,000 or more: Class 5 felony
- Repeat offenders (two or more prior theft-related convictions in 5 years): Class 4 felony
- Organized retail theft (involving intent to resale or tools to remove merchandise): Class 4 felony
Nationally, New Mexico leads with 777.97 incidents per 100,000 residents—106% above average—followed by Oregon at 675.98 (79% above). Arizona’s third-place ranking puts it ahead of Delaware (581.84 per 100,000, 54% above) and New York (558.55 per 100,000, 48% above).
At the other end of the chart, Idaho reports the lowest rate of shoplifting at 176.90 incidents per 100,000, putting it 53% below the national average. Maine is ranked second with 211.70 per 100,000 (44% below), followed by Rhode Island at 216.25 per 100,000 (43% below), Hawaii at 217.22 per 100,000 (42%), and Alaska at 232.22 per 100,000 (38%).
The 30-39 age group dominates shoplifting demographics in 46 states, including Arizona, accounting for around 30% of all reports nationwide.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 28, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
According to the newly released 2025 Retail Returns Landscape, U.S. retailers project that nearly $850 billion in merchandise will be returned this year, equivalent to 15.8% of total sales.
The figure, while substantial, reflects a slight decline from last year’s 16.9% return rate and $890 billion in total returns.
“Returns are no longer the end point of a transaction,” said NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. “They provide an opportunity for retailers to create a positive experience for customers and can translate to brand loyalty. Retailers are constantly evolving and working to meet customer expectations, and they recognize the importance the returns process plays.”
While overall return rates remain steady, online sales continue to drive higher volumes, with an estimated 19.3% of e-commerce purchases expected to be returned in 2025.
Generational shifts are amplifying these trends, particularly among Gen Z shoppers (age 18-30) who averaged 7.7 online returns over the past 12 months, more than any age group.
Consumer demands for seamless returns are intensifying as 82% of shoppers now cite free returns as a major factor in their purchasing decisions, up from 76% last year. Additionally, 76% of shoppers are more likely to choose the return method offering instant refunds or exchanges.
However, a negative returns experience carries significant consequences: 71% of consumers report they are less likely to shop with a retailer again following a poor encounter, rising from 67% in 2024. Four out of five consumers say they are likely to share their bad experience with friends and family, potentially magnifying reputational damage.
Retailers are navigating these expectations while contending with escalating operational costs and external pressures. Surveyed merchants identified increasing online sales and reducing return rates as their top priorities in 2026.
Key drivers for charging return fees include:
- Processing costs (40%)
- Higher carrier shipping expense (40%)
- Economic uncertainty tied to tariffs (33%)
Return fraud remains another persistent challenge, accounting for 9% of all returns. Among retailers tracking fraud, 71% reported an increase in overstated return quantities, 65% noted “empty box” or “box of rocks” incidents, and 64% saw rises in decoy returns involving counterfeit items. To combat return fraud, 85% of retailers have begun to use AI to detect or prevent fraud from happening.
Notably, 45% of consumers—particularly when dissatisfied— believe that “bending the truth” is acceptable during a return.
David Sobie, co-founder and CEO of Happy Returns, said, “Return policies and their overall process have transformed into a strategic touchpoint for retailers, influencing how younger consumers shop from the outset. To stay competitive amid rising return rates and behaviors like bracketing, retailers must modernize their reverse logistics to enhance customer satisfaction, reduce fraud, and safeguard their operations in today’s high-pressure retail landscape.”
Looking into the holiday season, retailers anticipate 17% of holiday sales will be returned, consistent with prior years. To manage this surge, 49% plan to lean on third-party logistics partners, 43% will hire seasonal staff, and 37% intend to extend return windows.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 22, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The U.S. Treasury and the Joint Economic Committee released the Monthly Fiscal Update last week, highlighting a 2.8% reduction in the federal deficit for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025), totaling $1.776 trillion compared to $1.828 trillion in FY2024.
The decrease was driven by record-setting tariff collections, increased tax receipts, and modifications to the student loan program approved in the 2025 reconciliation act.
September 2025 concluded with a notable surplus of $197.950 billion, reflecting strong fiscal performance with net outlays of $345.713 billion and net receipts of $543.663 billion for the month.
In FY2025, total federal net outlays reached $7.010 trillion, a 3.91% increase from $6.746 trillion in FY2024. Net receipts rose to $5.235 trillion, up 6.42% from $4.919 trillion in the prior fiscal year.
Despite the robust revenue growth, 25.33% of FY2025 outlays were not covered by revenues, resulting in the federal government spending $1.34 for every dollar received. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects continued growth in outlays and receipts, forecasting net outlays of $7.294 trillion in FY2026, $7.622 trillion in FY2027, and $8.019 trillion in FY2028, with deficits projected at $1.713 trillion, $1.687 trillion, $1.911 trillion, respectively, over the same period.
Outlays by Category
Social Security remained the largest federal expenditure in FY2025, totaling $1.581 trillion (22.5%), followed by Income Security and Veterans Benefits at $1.079 trillion (15.4%), Medicare at $996.72 billion (14.2%), and Net Interest at $970.66 billion (13.8%).
Defense spending accounted for $868.41 billion (12.4%), while Medicaid outlays were $668.14 billion (9.5%). Foreign Aid and other outlays represented smaller shares, at $32.21 billion (0.5%) and $814.75 billion (11.6%), respectively.
Receipts by Category
Individual Income Taxes were the largest revenue source in FY2025, contributing $2.656 trillion (50.7%), followed by Social Insurance and Retirement Taxes at $1.748 trillion (33.4%).
Corporation Income Taxes added $452.09 billion (8.6%), while Customs Duties, boosted by record setting tariff collections, reached $194.87 billion (3.7%). Other receipts totaled $183.31 billion (3.5%).
Despite the deficit reduction, net interest payments on the national debt hit a record high of nearly $971 billion in FY2025, a $100 billion increase from FY2024. The Committee for a Responsible Budget projects that by 2051, interest payments will become the largest federal expense, surpassing Social Security.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 20, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new national analysis reveals that Arizona’s job market is holding steady, ranking 12th in the nation for job openings with a rate that mirrors the U.S. average.
According to a new report from Podium AI, which analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona’s job opening rate sits at 4.4%, matching the national average. That equates to roughly 149,000 available positions across the state—placing Arizona in a balanced middle ground between neighboring New Mexico (5.1%) and Utah (4.2%).
West Virginia tops the national rankings with the highest job opening rate in the country—6%, which is 36% above the national average. Despite its smaller population, the state reports around 46,000 open positions, a sign of a particularly tight labor market. Meanwhile, Washington State ranks lowest with a 3.7% job opening rate, 16% below the national average, though it still reports 142,000 job openings in total.
Arizona’s mid-tier ranking suggests a stable labor environment, neither overheated nor stagnant. Economists often view such alignment with national averages as a sign of balance between worker demand and supply.
The data may also reflect Arizona’s ongoing economic diversification. With growth in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, employers are competing to fill specialized roles while maintaining steady hiring across service sectors. Nationally, the report identifies roughly 7.4 million job openings, translating to a 4.4% rate. But that average conceals deep regional differences.
Eric Rea, CEO and founder of Podium AI, said the results underscore the complexity of comparing job markets across states. “What really stands out is the contrast between smaller states like West Virginia and Maine, which are posting the highest rates, and much larger economies like California and Texas, which sit near the bottom,” Rea said.
“It’s not that California and Texas don’t have jobs—they have hundreds of thousands—but because their workforces are so large, those openings represent a much smaller share overall.”
Rea added that high job opening rates can reflect both strong demand for workers and challenges for employers struggling to find qualified staff.
“States like West Virginia and Maine may be experiencing tight labor markets where businesses are competing harder to attract workers,” he said. “That can create opportunities for job seekers, but it also puts pressure on employers to raise pay and improve benefits.”
For Arizona job seekers, the state’s alignment with the national average means steady opportunities across sectors but not the intense competition—or leverage—seen in smaller, high-demand states. With roughly 149,000 openings on the books, Arizona’s workforce remains in a healthy equilibrium—a sign of resilience in a national economy still recalibrating after pandemic-era labor shifts.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 19, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new study shows that Arizonans are among the hardest-working Americans, with the state ranking third in the nation for longest average working hours.
The research, conducted by global executive search firm Keller, analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2022 through 2024 to determine where U.S. workers are putting in the most time on the job. Across that three-year period, Arizona’s workforce averaged 116.43 annual hours worked, placing it just behind two other top-ranking states.
Breaking it down year by year, Arizonans logged 113.39 hours in 2022, 116.87 hours in 2023, and 119.01 hours in 2024, showing a steady upward trend in the state’s overall workload. A spokesperson for Keller noted that Arizona’s rapid population growth and expanding industries are key drivers behind the long hours.
“Arizona’s booming construction and healthcare industries, along with rapid population growth, have created sustained demand for longer workweeks,” the spokesperson said. “The Grand Canyon State’s workforce is balancing expansion in both service and industrial sectors.”
The findings underscore Arizona’s continued economic momentum, as the state has seen significant growth in sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Keller’s study highlights how workforce trends vary widely across the U.S., with some states showing shorter workweeks even as national labor participation remains steady.
The firm, which specializes in global recruitment and executive placement, said the results reflect broader economic and demographic shifts shaping local job markets.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
